Chapter 224: The Wager

That night, the ballroom in the old villa was a whirl of music and dancing. The decor glittered with gold, never tipping into gaudiness; it whispered taste rather than shouted wealth. The banquet was buffet-style. Two long tables were set with an irresistible, thoughtfully balanced spread. The servers had switched from pouring champagne to serving juice, smiling as they watched the guests; the moment someone's glass ran dry, a fresh one appeared-service smooth as silk. Lana Hayde stood in a corner,...